Casting-machine.



J. B; LADD an"). BAKER.

CASTING MACHINE. APPLICATION TILED FEB. I, 1907.

Patented Dec.1, 1908.

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WIT/(E8358; I v mvsnrqas I I N am 4 4% @y W, m4 Y Y 65M,

ATTORNEY.

N. a c. THE NoRlIs PETERS ca, wAsHmmo J. B. LADD & D. BAKER.

CASTING MAGHINE.

I AI PLmATIoN FILED FEB. 7, 1907.

905,194. Patented Dec. 1,1908.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3- WI TIVESSES V INVENTOR8 A TTDHNEY.

J. B. LADD &"D. BAKER. CASTING momma APIfI-IOATIOH FILED EBB. 'l, 1907.

Patented Dec. 1, 190's.

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J. LADD & '1). BAKER. CASTING- MACHINE, APPLICATION TILED 1'33. 7, 1907.

Patented Dec. 1,1908.

'! SHEETS-SHEET 13.

WITNESSES: mvewrons x BY A TTUBNEY.

1n: nomus PETERS co., WASHINGTON. B4 c.

J. B. LADD & '1). BAKER.

Patented Dec. 1. 1908. '1 sums-81mm 1.

CASTING MACHINE APPLICATION 11.21; rm;

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

Application filed February 7, 1907. Serial No. 356,162.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES B. LADD and DAVID BAKER, citizens of the United States, both residents of Haverford, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Casting-Machine, of which; the following is a specification. 1

()ur invention relates to improvements in apparatus for casting pigmetal.

Our object is to provide improved means for casting metal into pigs by a continuous operation. 7

Our invention comprises improved means for supporting the rotatable molds, improved means for directing the molten metal to the molds; improved means for discharging the metal from the molds to a platform for the gradual preliminary cooling of the pigs by a spray while on said platform and then for delivering the pigs to a submerged platform for the final thorough cooling thereof and then for delivering'the pigs from the submerged platform to a conveyer delivering to cars or other desired points.

Our invention also comprises improvements in details of construction.

Referring to the drawings :-Figure-1 is a plan view of our device. Fig; 2 is aside elevation in part section. Fig. 3 is a central section. Fig. 4 isa plan of a periphery of our device on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is an elevation of said periphery. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section showing a portion of the driving mechanism. Fig. 7 is an elevation of the inner side of a portion of the periphery or ring. Fig. 8 is a plan view of that portion of the driving mechanism shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a cross-section through the moldson line 9-9 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section of a mold and associated mechanism transverse to that shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 1-1 is a detail view of the cam plate and tripping projections. Figs. 9,10 and 11 are on a scale larger than that of the preceding figures.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Broadly speaking our device comprises an annular structure supported on live rollers 31 properly tionary annular track 32 seated in suitable masonry. The annular structure is formed of metal plates and angle irons riveted tog girder gether and is in the nature of a box 59, approximately rectangular'" in cross. section except as toits upper side, which "is portion of the movable rods 46 and 48 to spaced and supported on. a sta downwardly inclined towards the center of rotation. The annular structure or girder 59 is suitably braced by trusses 56. The

radially disposed trusses are connected with' stepped a central post 58 which is properly and supported on stationary, masonry. cured to the box girder 59 are a series of brackets 39 extending above the box girder and supporting the parallel beams 40. In these parallel beams are journaled the trunnions of the mold members 41, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The mold members 41 are provided with the star wheels 45, the arms of which are adapted to encounter the tripper projections 68 and 69, that is, the encounter of the first arm with projection 68 causes the turning of the mold one quarter of a revolution. The encounter of the next arm with the tripper projection 69 causes another quarter of a revolution of the mold member. These mold members are provided with two oppositely disposed mold recesses 60, so that when one recess is in the receiving position, the other will be in the inverted or discharging position. It is therefore necessary to cause a half revolution of the mold member in discharging one mold and bringing the other into the receiving position. Above the mold members 41 are provided the series of shed or deflector members 42,

for guiding the metal into the molds and for V preventing the spilling of the metal between said molds. The construction of these shed members is clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10. These shed members are supported on the permit the vertical movement of the shed members for the purpose hereinafter to be described.

The rod 46 projects downwardly below the girder 40, while the shed member has a projection 47 ,beyond the rod 48. These two projections or counter shown in Figs. 10 and 11, for causing the elevation of said shed member 42.

Over the journal bearings of the mold -members 41, are provided the hoods 61 to prevent the metal from reaching the same.

Upon the top or inclined surface of box girder 59 is placed the platform 35. This platform is annular in form and inclined similarly to the top of the girder, and rests loosely upon the top of the girder to permit of' independent movement due to expansion and contraction.- I

' To the' underside" of the girder 59 are seextensions are adapted to en-. the stationary cam members 44, as

i '73; These spray pipes 72 cured the brackets 50 of a form clearly shown in Fig. 6. Upon these brackets 50 rests an inclined platform 36 similar in form to that of platform 35. Secured also to the underside of girder member 59 is the track 34 adapted to rest in the grooves of the live rollers 31. A similar track 33 is supported on the stationary masonry and supports the liverollers 31. These rollers 31 are provided with trunnions journaled in the spacing rings 32 for maintaining the rollers at equal distances around the circumference. of the annular tracks 33 and 3 1.

It is also to be noted that the bracket 50 projects downwardly into the annular channel or tank 62.

The rotation of the girder 59 is secured by the operation of pinions 16 which mesh with the annular rack 15 secured also to-the under'side of the girder 59. The pinions 16 are operated by the motors 30, see Fig. 1 through the shaft 29 and train of gears 28,

' 27, 25, 24, 22, 21, 19 and 17 as shown in Fig.

8. The gears 22 and 24 are mounted on the shaft 23, which is suitably journaled in the stationary framework. The gears 16 are preferably placed at diametrically opposite positions with respect to the box girder 59. The location of the pinions at diametrically opposite'sides of the girder secures an even distribution of power and tends to keep the machine central.

The scraper 37 is properly supported by the stationary parts and is adapted to sweep the platform 35 see Fig. 1. Approximate this scraper 37 is the inclined chute 38 lead ing from the level of the platform 35 to the platform 36 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Suitably secured to the stationary structure are the scrapers 51 and 52 adapted to sweep the lower platform 36. Approximate these scrapers are provided the inclined chutes 57 These chutes de- 54 which project to car 55.

as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. liver to conveyers 53 and into the pits 63 and deliver The ladle 64 is mounted in any suitable way on a track 65 so that it may be brought into alinement with and made to discharge into the pivotally mounted trough 66 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. This trough 66 is provided with the operating handle 67 or other suitable means for operating the same. The annular main 70 is connected with a suitable source of water supply and connects with the leads 71 which connect with and'support the spray pipes 72, each lead pipe 71 is provided with a controlling cock are provided with a series of perforations along the underside thereof so as to send a continuous spray of water over the pigs as the same rest upon the inclined platform 35.

The operation of our device is as follows :As clearly shown by the numberof reductions in the train of gears illustrated two conveyors either that in Fig. 8, the rotation of the girder 55) will be veryslow compared with the speed of the motors so that a continuous operation of our device is made possible. As each mold passes into line with the charging trough 66 the metal is poured therein. its will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. '1, the mold is then carried around a sufiicient portion of a revolution of the structure to per mit of the hardening of the metal therein. The star wheel of the mold then encounters the tripping projections 63 and 69, see Figs. 1, l0 and 11 which cause a half rotation of the 'mold member 41 as above described. This causes the dumping of the pig onto the platform 35, and leaves the mold member in position for another charge. .The pig is now sprayed by the spray pipes 72 above described, and is carried around until it reaches the scraper 57 by which it is swept from table 35 onto inclined chute 38 and delivered to table 36 which is submerged beneath the water contained in the annular tank or channel 62, where itlies beneath the water for a half of rotation or more of the structure when it encounters scraper 51 or scraper 52 by which it is swept from table 36 onto inclined chute 57 which delivers to the conveyer 53 or 54, which carries it to the ear 5? or other desirable point. It is to be noted also that the shed or deflector members :42 practically rest upon the top of the rectangular mold members ll, and hence it is necessary upon the rotation of any mold member that two of the superimposing deflector members he raised. This is accomplished by providing the projecting rod 16 and projection 37 shown in Fig. 10 and the coijperating stationary cam members 11. These cam members are so placed, relatively to the lug 68 operating a star wheel -15, that said cam members will be encountered to cause the elevation of the two shed members 42 before and until after the mold member 411 has been inverted.

By the mechanism above described we are able to secure the following desirable results: a continuous and relatively rapid casting of pigs, a gradual preliminary air cooling followed by partial cooling by the spray, and afinal complete cooling by submerging, and an automatic discharge of the cold pigs to cars or other desirable points. By the mechanism above described we also accomplish a large output with a minimum amount of manual labor. The providing of two deflectors and conveyors in connection with the submerged platform makes it possi ble to discharge from one eonveyer while a loaded car is being replaced by an empty car for the other conveyor without interrupting the continuous operation of the machine. It is also obvious with the use of one may be put out'of commission for any reason whatever located below the first and submerged for receiving the pigs for final cooling and means for discharging the pigs from one platform to the other.

3. A. casting machine, comprising an annular box girder, brackets connected with one side only of the girder and a plurality of rotatable molds supported by the brackets.

4. A casting machine, comprising a rotatable structure, a plurality of rotatable molds supported thereby, an annular platform for receiving the pigs delivered from the molds, a submerged platform, a scraper for discharging the pigs from the first platform, and an inclined chute for carryin the pigs therefrom to the submerged plat orm.

5. A rotating structure, a plurality of rdtatable molds supported thereby, two annular platforms, one above the other, supported by the rotating structure, for carrying the pigs, an annular water containing channel for receiving the lower platform and r means for transferring the pigs from one platform to the other. I

6. A rotating structure, a plurality of rotatable molds supported thereby, two annular platforms for carrying the pigs, one above the other, an annularwater containing channel for receiving the lower platform, means for transferring the pigs from one platform to the other, a conveyer and means for delivering the pigs from the lower platform to the conveyer.

7 A rotating structure, a plurality of rotatable molds supported thereby, two annular platforms for carrying the pigs, one above the other, an annular water containing channel for receiving the lower platform,

means for transferring the pigs from one platform to the other, two conveyers and means for delivering the pigs from the lower platform to said conveyers.

8. In a casting machine, a rotatable structure, a plurality of radially disposed molds supported thereby, deflector-members superimposing the molds, means for rotating the molds and automatic means for causing the elevation of the deflector members to permit the rotation of said molds.

9. In a casting machine, a rotatable structure, a plurality of radially disposed molds supported thereby, a deflector member spanning'two adjacent molds and provided with transversely extending end flanges or wings.

10. In a pigcasting machine, a rotatable structure, rotatable mold members supported thereby, and a platform for receiving the pigs, removably supported by the rotatable structure.

11. In a pig casting machine,"-a rotatable structure, rotatable mold members supported thereby and a platform for receiving the pigs, resting directly upon and removably supported by the rotatable structure.

12. In a pig casting machine, a rotatable structure, rotatable mold members supported thereby, two annular platforms, one below the other, each removably supported by the rotatable structure and means for transferring the pigs from one platform to the other.

13. In a pig casting machine, a rotatable structure, rotatable mold members supported thereby, two the other, each removably supported by the rotatable structure, an annular water containing channel for receiving and submerging the lower platform and means for transferring the pigs from one platform to the other.

14. In a continuously operating pig casting machine, the combination of a rotatable structure, rotatable mold members supported thereby, spraying means whereby the pigs are first subjected to a preliminary partial cooling and submerging means for final complete cooling, before leaving the machine.

15. In a pig casting machine, the combination of a rotatable structure, rotatable mold members supported thereby, an annular track secured to the underside thereof, a similar annular track suitably supported on a stationary foundation, and a plurality of live rollers engaging with and operating between said annular tracks.

16. In a pig casting machine, the combi nation of a rotatable structure, rotatable mold members supported thereby, an annular track secured to the underside thereof, a similar annular track suitably supported on a stationary foundation, a plurality of live rollers engaging with an operating between said annular tracks, and spacing members for maintaining the rollers in the required relative position.

17. In a pig casting machine, the combination of an annular box girder connected to a central post by trusses, a step bearing for the central post, an annular track supported by stationary foundations and a plurality of live rollers engaging with and op erating between the annular track and the box girder, and rotatable mold members supported by the box girder.

18. In a pig casting machine, an annular box girder, means for rotating the same, rotatable mold members supported above the girder, an annular platform resting upon the annular platforms one below girder and beneath the molds for receiving l the molds rotating with said supporting the pigs therefrom, a second platform below structure, and means for spraying the molds said girder and lying Without its outer peafter their discharge on the platform, comriphery, brackets secured to said girder for prising perforated piping having an annusupporting the second plat-form and means lar extension above said platform and adaptfor transferring pigs from the upper to the ed to discharge thereon throughout the cirlou'er platform. cumference thereof during the rotation of 19. Tn a casting machine, a rotatable strucsaid platform. ture, a plurality of rotatable molds sup- 21. A casting machine, comprising a roported thereby, tripping means for disf tating annular box girder structure, a plucharging the molds, an annular platform rorality of rotatable mold members supported tating with the molds for receiving the pigs thereby, each mold member provided with discharged therefrom, and means for disoppositely disposed mold recesses, and tripcharging a spray of Water in the path of ping means for causing the movement of the travel of the pigs on said platform for parmold member a half revolution during each tially cooling the pigs. complete rotation of the rotatable structure.

2.1 "1 -11 in '1)lSl in Jim-i533; ittle? tif rbtatilile n ibld2. l JAMES AP DAVID BAkluh. tripping means for causing the discharge of. each mold at a required point in the rotation Vitnesses: of the supporting structure, an annular plat- LOUISE B. Momas, form for receiving the pigs discharged from I HARRY V. GRANT. 

